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Incident
At approximately 2:00 a.m., Night Watchman Charles W. Newsom was called to the kitchen of the Owl Cafe. Upon arrival in the kitchen, Newsom was stabbed in the neck and shot four times. Newsom died at the scene of the shooting.
Newsom was killed because he had arrested Roger Kesterson a few days earlier on some minor charge and this was the reason he was killed. Carl Norvell was charged and sentenced to 25 years in prison for stabbing Newsom in the neck and almost severing Newsom's head. He was pardoned December 14, 1933. Kern Norvell, a brother of Carl Norvell, shot Newsom four times. Kern Norvell committed suicide before he could be arrested. Roger Kesterson was tried in Mt. Vernon, in Franklin County on a change of venue and was found not guilty.
Charles W. Newsom was survived by his wife Ida and nine children. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Pittsburg, Camp County, Texas.
Survivors
Newsom was survived by his wife Ida and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Newsom served with the Pittsburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Newsom.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Pittsburg Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 45. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Charles was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Charles was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pittsburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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